BPL "Shelfies" Tribute
The world recently lost two great Children's Author/Illustrators: Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Both masters of bright colors and collage, their books bring vibrancy to our bookshelves and joy to our storytimes. As a tribute to their prolific work, BPL staff (and family!) took "Shelfies" with some of their favorite titles! All featured titles can be accessed at the end of the post. This booklist is a compilation of the titles we love. Browse through the list, place a hold and check them out at your local branch today!
COVID Remembrance Day
NYC has designated March 14th as a Day of Remembrance for those we have lost to COVID-19. This is a time when families can reflect on the past year, honor those we have lost, and connect with loved ones who are separated from us. Here are some ways to acknowledge the day with your family: *Special thanks to Librarians Hasina Islam, Kathy Gerber, and Ann Lautner for their ideas!* Create a family tree to remember lost family members, and those who are far away or separated from us. Draw a trunk and add/color leaves with family members' names. Or…
BKLYN Kids Presents: Juneteenth
Summer Reading 2020: Imagine Your Story
Summer Reading 2020 has gone virtual! This year's theme is Imagine Your Story – a celebration of fairy tales, folklore, mythology, and sharing your own unique story and voice. Brooklyn Public Library is here to help families have FUN with reading all summer long! It all begins on June 1, with kickoff events including a sing-along party with Cara Samantha, building castles with ArchForKids, and a performance by the Catpulli Mexican Dance Group. This year, instead of stopping by a local branch, families can sign up for Summer Reading online at…
BKLYN Kids Presents: We Count!
The 2020 Census is here! Visit the Census website and get counted today! The decennial census determines New York's fair share of more than $650 billion of federal funds every year for critical programs and services, including public education, public housing, roads and bridges, social services, and much more. It also determines the number of representatives we have fighting for us in Congress. We're sharing some counting books and activities to involve your child in the Census! But first, some important notes about the Census: The Census counts everybody so that cities and communities…
BKLYN Kids Presents: Shelfies!
As 2018 comes to a close, we asked our fellow librarians to share some of their favorite reads. Enjoy these "shelfies" and discover some great books! Click here to view the full booklist. Picture Books A mix of new and classic titles, check out some of our favorite picture books! Chapter Books Check out these librarians enjoying some gripping chapter books! Check this out: Shout out to Windsor Terrace for sharing their awesome Thanksgiving book display!
Bklyn Kids Presents: Halloween!
We love Halloween at the Brooklyn Public Library. A holiday that allows us to dress up as our favorite literary characters? Count us in! Here are some highlights from this year's spooktacular celebrations across the system: Trick-Or-Treater Costumes These awesome library visitors got some free swag for showing up in costume! Staff Costumes Shout out to all the AMAZING staff who dressed up at work for Halloween! Halloween Programs Lots of Halloween parties happened across the library system with games, pin the wart on the witch, slime making, scary crafts, and more!…
Bklyn Kids Presents: Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, histories, and important contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. From September 15 to October 15, Brooklyn Public Library is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month by doing what we do best - offering rich cultural programming and booklists! Here's a look at some wonderful family programs and events being offered throughout the Brooklyn Public Library branches this month: Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Visit Carroll…
Summer Reading Highlight: Books for Grades 2-3
By mid Summer, it can be hard for young readers to stay motivated with their reading. So, next time you head out to the beach or pool, bring along one of these fun options from our Summer Reading Booklist. It will help them continue the momentum of reading, and keep their growing minds in tiptop shape! If you haven't stopped by your local branch yet, make sure to visit and pick up our Summer Reading gameboard. Kids can collect stickers by reading books, attending library programs, and making music this summer. Complete the gameboard and you will be entered…
Summer Reading Highlight: Books for Grades K-1
Looking for some books to read to your little ones entering Kindergarten or 1st Grade? Check out these suggestions from our Summer Reading Booklist. If you haven't stopped by your local branch yet, make sure to visit and pick up our Summer Reading gameboard. Collect stickers by reading books with your young one, visiting library programs, and doing early literacy building activities this summer, and you will be entered into our grand prize bookset giveaway. Grandma's Records By Eric Velasquez The author describes his boyhood summers spent at his grandmother's…
BKLYN Kids Presents: Black History Month
During February, Brooklyn Public Library celebrated Black History Month with a variety of programs for all ages. These programs provided opportunities to learn more about, and celebrate, the important contributions by African Americans to art, literature, science, sports, and pop culture. Here's a look back at some of the wonderful family programs and events offered throughout the Brooklyn Public Library branches this past month: Cortelyou Cortelyou Branch welcomed local author Harriet Hyman Alonso, who read and discussed her new novel for children ages 8-12; a…
Spooktacular Stories
Ask a Librarian Pumpkin (Courtesy of CliffLandis) When I was a kid, I was obsessed with scary stories. One of my favorites? Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark . Those illustrations haunt me to this day! Scary stories can help us deal with our fears in a safe environment, and experience the adrenaline / excitement of those fears without being in any real danger. As a shy, reserved child, they served as an exciting outlet for me. I think Horror gets a bad rap - often dismissed as a lesser genre, purely there for our entertainment. In reality, the best scary…
Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!
Set your time-turners, because Monday, July 31st is Harry Potter's Birthday and we're having a PARTY! Join us at Central Library as we Celebrate Harry's (37th!) Birthday and the 20th Anniversary of J.K. Rowling's series. Activities include wand making, spellbook inscription, fortune telling, and a dramatic reading of scenes from Cursed Child by librarians and volunteers. You'll also get sorted into your Hogwarts House and learn how to care for your own Magical Creature! Can't make it to the event? You can still celebrate the day from home by making your very own…